Unions should have to bid against private companies for government contracts: PC Leader Tim Hudak

The Progressive Conservatives want to force Ontario’s public sector unions to compete for contracts to provide government services in order to save taxpayers money.

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak says unions should bid against private companies to provide various government services, with the province’s new financial accountability office determining which areas should be open to competition.

In the legislature, Hudak accused Premier Kathleen Wynne of being in the pocket of public sector unions, which he said were rewarded for supporting the Liberals.

He said the Liberals “are on the side of the special interests who are getting rich off these fat contracts.”

Wynne mocked Hudak’s claim that contracting out provincial services would save money as “magical thinking,” and said he had no proof to back it up.

Hudak says the Conservatives would not contract out police, health or teaching services, but would look at competitive bids for things such as email hosting, transportation, food and laundry services in jails and even employment training.